Self-loading tow dolly

ABSTRACT

A self-loading tow dolly is described. The inventive tow dolly permits components of the dolly to be easily removed and replaced. The inventive tow dolly also reduces overall weight by using aluminum slotted hubs mated with 8-inch aluminum slotted wheels and by employing dissimilar materials that do not require welding and improves lubrication by providing strategically placed lubricant ports and lubricant reservoirs for rotating components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is related to and claims the benefit ofpriority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/838,568, filedon 17 Aug. 2006, entitled “Self-Loading Tow Dolly,” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

My invention relates to self-loading tow dollies, and particularly toself-loading tow dollies that are hand carried from and to a tow truckwhere weight is a key factor in eliminating operator back and otherinjuries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

My invention improves upon currently available self-loading tow dolliesby permitting dolly components to be replaced without requiring cuttingor welding. It also improves upon currently available self-loading towdollies by reducing the overall weight of a tow dolly and by preventingrotational component seizures through improved lubricant coverage withinrotating components.

Tow truck operators commonly use self-loading tow dollies. When a towtruck tows a vehicle it lifts one end of the vehicle. To prevent damageto the towed vehicle, for example, a four wheel drive vehicle that isstuck in gear, tow truck operators use tow dollies to lift the oppositeend of the towed vehicle so that the dolly's wheels contact the roadinstead of the towed vehicle's wheels. Removing all of the towedvehicle's wheels from the ground greatly diminishes the possibility ofdamage to the towed vehicle.

Those skilled in the art know that tow dollies for raising pairs ofcoaxial vehicle wheels typically employ a pair of frame-like bases forsupporting pairs of dolly wheels. Such dolly bases are placed outsidetwo vehicle wheels to be lifted or elevated; the two bases being crossconnected by parallel spaced tubular axles which are typicallylongitudinally adjustable to accommodate variations in vehicle wheellateral spacing. Suitable mechanisms are provided for positioning thedolly wheels between a lowered position and a raised towing positionwhich serves to elevate the towed vehicle prior to the actual towingoperation. Suitable locking devices are provided for maintaining dollywheels in desired elevated or lowered positions for storing or towingoperations, respectively. Other known mechanisms without separateratchet systems are employed for maintaining dolly wheels in elevatedpositions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,675 to Orr, fully incorporated herein byreference, shows and describes an exemplary tow dolly.

Tow dollies of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,675 typicallyhave several sections which are disengagable from one another for easystorage and transport of the tow dolly. For example, there are often twoframe-like wheel assemblies where the dolly's wheels are mounted onspindle assemblies which are attached to the frame-like wheelassemblies. Brackets on the frame-like wheel assemblies accommodateaxles that engage the wheels of the vehicle to be towed.

Tow dollies must have sturdy components that articulate in a manner whena car is lifted off the ground in just a few moments. Spindle assembliesare typically made of steel as are the brackets where the steel railends of the axles are fitted to complete assembly. This “steel on steel”construction permits steel dolly components to be welded together andhas proved to be sturdy in the field. Over a period spanning more thanthirty years the steel self-loading tow dolly has become the industrystandard. Using all steel components and welding steel componentstogether on the dolly frame results, however, in a heavy tow dolly thatan operator must carry from the tow truck to the towed vehicle. Evenwhen disassembled, the pieces of current tow dollies are heavy and causestrain on tow truck operators which may lead to back injuries and otherhealth problems.

When tow truck operators hand carry self-loading tow dollies from and toa tow truck, weight is a key factor in eliminating back and otherinjuries. All steel constructed tow dollies are sturdy, but weightcontinues to be an issue. Thus, the need remains for an improvedself-loading tow dolly configuration that is not only sturdy, but hasthe added benefit of weight reduction. It is an object of my inventionto provide a self-loading tow dolly that solves this problem.

Because currently available self-loading tow dollies are welded togetherit is not possible for a tow truck operator to easily replace or fix atow dolly that becomes damaged. Should a current tow dolly run against acurb and bend a spindle of one of the dolly's wheels the spindleassembly must be cut from the dolly and a new one welded in place.Because these cutting and welding operations require the use of metalworking equipment that a tow truck operator typically does not have, therepair has to be done by a welding shop, which is time consuming andexpensive. There is thus a need for self-loading tow dollies havingmodular components that can be replaced without resorting to a torch,saw, plasma cutter, and welder. This is particularly true in emergencysituations such as emergency tows and for clearing wreckage from ajammed freeway. Thus, the need remains for an improved self-loading towdolly configuration that is not only sturdy and lightweight, but alsohas modular components that can be readily replaced. Accordingly, it isa further object of my invention to provide a self-loading tow dollythat solves these problems.

Currently available self-loading tow dollies have rotating parts thatrequire lubrication to reduce wear. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,675to Orr shows grease fittings, 46 and 53 in FIG. 8, used to introduce athin film of grease about pins 42 and 51. Because there is nolubrication reservoir for grease near or about pins 42 and 51 greasedoes not coat the entire bearing surface and is hence subject tomoisture and rust causing component to seize up. There is thus a needfor a self-loading tow dolly that accepts a 360 degree lubricationapplication to its rotating components. It is another object of myinvention to provide a self-loading tow dolly that solves this problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a self-loading tow dolly capable of easy componentreplacement. There is also a need for a self-loading tow dolly with areduced weight. There is a further need for a self-loading tow dollywith a more efficient lubrication system.

These needs and others are met by embodiments of my invention, whichprovide a self-loading tow dolly with detachable components. Aself-loading tow dolly provides at least two wheels configured to rotateabout a spindle, wherein each wheel rotates about its own spindle. Iinclude structure that releasably attaches each spindle to a support barin a manner that permits each wheel to move to and from a towed vehiclelowered position and a towed vehicle lifted position. There is at leasta bracket attached to each support bar in which there is a parallelspaced tubular axle releasably attached through holes in the bracket,wherein I configure the brackets to receive axles and maintain the axlessubstantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular tothe support bars. I attach a lift mechanism to at least one of thesupport bars and configure it to move at least one of the wheels to andfrom the towed vehicle lowered position and the towed vehicle liftedposition. I attach a pawl mechanism to at least one of the support bars,which permits the lift mechanism to ratchet the support bar to the towedvehicle lifted position. I attach a release mechanism releasably to atleast one of the support bars, and configure the release mechanism topermit at least one of the wheels to move from the towed vehicle loweredposition to the towed vehicle lifted position for towing, and then fromthe towed vehicle lifted position to the towed vehicle lowered positionfor stowage. I also attach a locking mechanism releasably to at leastone of the support bars and configure it to engage the release lever tohold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position.

Embodiments of my invention overcome the difficulty of replacing weldedrotating components. My invention accomplishes this by a self-loadingtow dolly constructed with rotating components that easily unbolt andbolt together instead of requiring cutting and welding.

Embodiments of the present invention also overcome the problem ofexcessive weight as well as enhance the lubrication of self-loading towdollies. My invention is constructed to take advantage of weight savingsby using various materials with different strength to weightcharacteristics than steel. Other embodiments of my invention alsoprovide a lubricant reservoir contained within rotating parts. Byincluding a lubricant reservoir in my invention, I ensure that 360degrees of the bearing surface of the load-bearing, rotating componentsare coated with lubrication.

I will set forth additional advantages and novel features of myinvention in part by the description that follows, and in part it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practicing my invention. The followingdescription is illustrative in nature and does not limit the presentinvention to embodiments described. The advantages of my invention maybe realized and attained by the instrumentalities and combinations,particularly pointed out in the appended claims, which define myinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

I illustrate my invention by way of example, and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is rear perspective view of an embodiment of the inventiondepicting the dolly structure in a towed vehicle lifted position withratchet assemblies engaged to ratchet gears and safety locks engaged torelease assemblies and with parallel spaced tubular axles attached toaxle support brackets.

FIG. 1 a is rear perspective view of an embodiment of the inventiondepicting the dolly structure in a towed vehicle lowered position withratchet assemblies disengaged from ratchet gears and safety locksdisengaged from release assemblies.

FIG. 1 b is a left-side perspective view of an embodiment of theinvention depicting the dolly structure in a towed vehicle liftedposition.

FIG. 2 is a top assembly view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 b depictingthe dolly structure in a towed vehicle lifted position and lubricantreservoirs.

FIG. 3 is a left perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 bdepicting lightweight construction with parallel spaced tubular axleinserted in bracket.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the inventiondepicting ratchet mechanism disengaged from gear assembly.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the inventiondepicting ratchet mechanism engaged into gear assembly.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the inventiondepicting lightweight construction of the wheel and the hub.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the inventiondepicting the hub separated from the wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

My invention addresses and solves problems related to self-loading towdollies, particularly where current dollies do not permit simple, easycomponent replacement. It also addresses and solves problems related toproviding a lightweight dolly and problems related to lubricatingrotating components.

My invention solves the above problems by providing a self-loading towdolly as discussed below. One of ordinary skill in the art will realizethat the following discussion is illustrative and intended to describepreferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended tolimit my invention to the embodiments discussed. My invention hasnumerous applications where a tow dolly is used to raise and transport aheavy object. It may be scaled and adapted to many applications and isdefined by the claims, which set forth the metes and bounds of myinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1 b, I describe animproved self-loading tow dolly. A support base 200 provides support fora pair of dolly wheels (not shown for clarity). Support base 200comprises a support bar 100. To reduce the overall weight of theself-loading tow dolly according to the present invention support bar100 is made from a strong, lightweight material such as aircraft gradealuminum, a carbon fiber reinforced metal such as aluminum or steelcontaining a carbon fiber matrix or a carbon fiber and resin materialsimilar to materials used for aircraft construction. In alternativeembodiments support bar 100 is made from steel and overall tow dollyweight savings are realized elsewhere.

I attach a tubular member 31 rigidly to support bar 100. Tubular member31 may be positioned either to outside of support bar 100 as is depictedin FIG. 1 b or through support bar 100. In embodiments where support bar100 is made from a metal, I optionally weld tubular member 31 to supportbar 100. In embodiments where support bar 100 is a carbon compositewithout metal, I affix tubular member using adhesives as is well knownin aircraft construction. Tubular member 31 has a first apertureextending longitudinally through tubular member 31 and a second apertureextending transversally through the tube wall. The second aperturecontains a lubrication port, such as a zerk fitting for example.

I position spindle plates 35 and 36 adjacent each end of tubular member31 and hold them in place by bolt 25. Bolt 25 rotatingly, releasablysecures spindle plates 35 and 36 to tubular member 31 using locking nuts40 and 45 (FIG. 2). I use two locking nuts 40 and 45 to secure bolt 25in place in the preferred embodiment, however other locking mechanisms,for example, a lock nut containing a deformable insert or a castle nutheld in place by a cotter pin through a hole in the end of bolt 25, arewithin the scope of my invention. In the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I make plates 35 and 36 from steel. I attach spindle 70rigidly to spindle plates 35 and 36, for example by welding. Spindle 70forms the central axis for one of the tow dolly's wheels (not depictedfor clarity). As used in this description of the inventive self-loadingtow dolly, those skilled in the art will understand that a spindle is tobe the part of an axle on which a dolly wheel turns. I attach gear plate50 rigidly to tubular member 31 and to support bar 100, for example bywelding.

Bolt 5 passes through tubular member 11 which I attach to support bar100 in the same manner as tubular member 31. Tubular member 11 also hasa first aperture extending through the longitudinal axis of tubularmember 11, and a second aperture extending transversally through a wallof tubular member 11. As with tubular member 31, the second aperturecontains a lubrication port 10, such as a zerk fitting for example. Bolt5 rotatingly affixes a release plate 17 to tubular member 11. I use alocking nut 20 (FIG. 2) to hold bolt 5 and release plate 17 in place. Inthe preferred embodiment, I configure bolt 5 to rotate with releaseplate 17 without loosening locking nut 20 (FIG. 2).

Release lever 15 is rigidly attached to release plate 17 for example bywelding. I attach a spring 16 to release lever 15 in order to providetension on release lever 15, thus holding release plate 17 in a positionthat prevents spindle 70 from disengaging from bottom of release plate17. I attach spring 16 to support bar 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Ialso attach a safety lever support 62 to support bar 100, for examplethrough a threaded engagement, by welding or using an adhesive. Safetylever support 62 has a lubrication port 65 that communicates lubricantsfrom outside the safety lever support 62 to the rotating internalstructure within safety lever support 62. I mount safety lever 60rotatably within safety lever support 62 so that it can be rotated to afirst position utilizing a ball detent system, where it prevents releaselever 15 from rotating about tubular member 11. Safety lever 60 also hasa second position (not shown) where it allows safety lever 15 to rotaterelease plate 17 about tubular member 11 thus permitting spindle 70 todisengage from bottom of release plate 17 and thus lowering support bar100 to a towed vehicle lowered position.

By constructing embodiments of my invention as described in relation toFIG. 1, it provides a self-loading tow dolly with modular componentsthat can easily be replaced without cutting through metal and withoutwelding. Simply removing bolt 5 permits release plate 17 and releaselever 15 to be quickly replaced. Likewise, when I remove bolt 25, I caneasily and quickly replace the wheel spindle assembly (plates 35, 36 andspindle 70). Thus, when a wheel bearing seizes on a spindle 70, thespindle assembly can easily be replaced on the spot without having totake the inventive tow dolly into a metal working shop for anundetermined amount of downtime and expensive repairs.

Referring to FIG. 2, I now show an embodiment of my invention providinglubricant reservoirs. Bolts 5 and 25 have grooves 6 and 26,respectively, machined into them. Grooves 6 and 26 act as lubricantreservoirs when bolts 5 and 25 are inserted into tubular members 11 and31, respectively. I align the grooves 6 and 26 with the transverseapertures containing lubricant ports 10 and 30, respectively so that Ican communicate lubricant introduced into lubricant ports 10 and 30 intogrooves 6 and 26, respectively. Lubricant introduced into grooves 6 and26 flows 360 degrees around the bearing surfaces of each rotatablecomponent, thus alleviating seizure problems. Thus, embodiments of myinvention provide increased efficiency in supplying lubricant torotating components while permitting an operator to intermittentlyinject lubricant into the rotating components.

Referring to FIG. 3, I describe a bracket made of dissimilar materials.I compose bracket 300 of trusses 105 and 110 that I attach to supportbar 100. I attach trusses 105 and 110 rigidly to support bar 100, forexample by welding. I can make trusses 105 and 100 out of lightweightmaterials that have high tensile strengths, such as aluminum whensupport bar 100 is also made from aluminum, or other materials asdescribed above. Trusses 105 and 110 must be able to withstand hightensile forces, but do not need to be strong in compression as there isnever a compressive load placed upon them. Accordingly, I can usematerials lighter in weight than steel presently used for trusses 105and 110.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, I insert steel axle end piece 115 intothe end of parallel spaced aluminum axle tube 125, with thin plasticshim (not shown) to insulate aluminum from steel contact. I secure axleend piece 115 to parallel spaced aluminum axle tube 125 with fastener135. I rigidly attach tread plate 145 to aluminum axle tube 125 forexample by welding. I place steel end piece 115 on support bar 120 tosecure parallel spaced axles to dollies.

I insert an axle support bar 120 through apertures in the trusses 105and 110, thus permitting me to make the axle support bar 120 from adissimilar material, such as steel or other hard, durable material witha high compressive strength. Support bar 120 can also be configured as areplaceable bolt of high tensile strength, to pass through apertures inthe trusses 105 and 110. A bracket made according to embodiments of myinvention thus provides further weight reduction for the inventiveself-loading tow dolly.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, I now further describe operation of theinvention. I attach pry pocket 14 rigidly to spindle 70. I also attachratchet handle 8 rigidly to ratchet cam 7, for example by welding. Asdepicted in FIG. 1 b, I insert fastener 9 through an off-center hole incam 7 into ratchet plate 12. I attach spring 13 from bottom of ratchetplate 12 to pry pocket 14, thus securing ratchet plate 12 to spindle 70and spindle plate 36. FIG. 4 illustrates the invention in a disengagedrelease position where ratchet plate 12 is disengaged from gear plate50. When I move ratchet handle 8 from the position shown in FIG. 4 tothe position shown in FIG. 5, ratchet cam 7 is rotated allowing ratchetplate 12 to engage gear teeth 52 on gear plate 50. When I insert a prybar (not depicted) into pry pocket 14, and move the tow dolly wheels,for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,675 to Orr, ratchetplate 12 engages with ratchet gear plate 50 as depicted in FIG. 5.Ratchet gear plate 50 and ratchet plate 12 interact with spindle 70 tohold the tow dolly wheels in a towed vehicle lifted position in caserelease plate 17 unexpectedly disengages from spindle 70.

Referring to FIG. 6, I now describe a further weight reducing componentfor my inventive tow dolly. I reduce its weight by using slotted 8 inchaluminum wheels 41 that are mated with slotted aluminum hubs 43. I fithub 43 with a centrally located lubrication port, such as a zerkfitting, through aperture 45. The advantage of centrally placing alubrication port through aperture 45 is that lubricant is forced outequally from the middle of the hub through the bearings. In currentlyavailable systems, such as the Bearing Buddy®, lubricant is forced intothe bearings from the front of the hub and must flow to the rear of thebearings resulting in uneven lubrication for the bearings. FIG. 7depicts the hub 43 separated from the wheel 41.

While I have described my invention in connection with what I presentlyconsider to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to beunderstood that my invention is not limited to the describedembodiments, but, on the contrary, I intend it to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A self-loading tow dolly comprising: at least two wheels configured to rotate about a spindle, wherein each wheel rotates about its own spindle; structure that releasably attaches each spindle to a support bar in a manner that permits each wheel to move to and from a towed vehicle lowered position and a towed vehicle lifted position; at least a bracket rigidly attached to each support bar wherein the brackets are configured to receive axles and maintain the axles substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the support bars; a lift mechanism attached to at least one of the support bars and configured to move at least one of the wheels from to towed vehicle lowered position to the towed vehicle lifted position; a ratchet mechanism releasably attached to at least one of the spindle assemblies, the ratchet mechanism including a ratchet handle rigidly attached to a ratchet cam which in turn is attached to a ratchet plate, a ratchet assembly secured to the spindle, and a gear plate having gear teeth rigidly attached to a support bar; wherein the ratchet assembly is engaged by moving the ratchet handle in a manner sufficient to allow the ratchet cam to rotate causing the ratchet plate to engage the gear teeth of the gear plate thereby causing the spindle to interact with the gear plate to ratchet the tow dolly into a towed vehicle lifted position; a release mechanism, releasably attached to at least one of the support bars, the release mechanism configured to permit at least one of the wheels to move from the towed vehicle lifted position to the towed vehicle lowered position; and a locking mechanism releasably attached to at least one of the support bars and configured to engage the release lever to hold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position.
 2. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 1, wherein the structure for releasably attaching each spindle to a support bar further comprises: a first plate containing at least a first aperture and a second aperture; a second plate containing at least a first aperture and a second aperture; the first aperture on the first plate and the first aperture on the second plate are sized to receive the spindle and the spindle is rigidly attached to the first and second plates; and the second aperture on the first plate and the second aperture on the second plate are sized to receive a fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar.
 3. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 2, further comprising: a tubular member rigidly attached to the support bar and configured to receive the fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar.
 4. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 3, further comprising: an aperture in the tubular member configured to receive a lubrication port; a lubrication port contained within the aperture in the tubular member; and a lubrication reservoir formed integrally on the fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar, the lubrication reservoir configured to cooperate with the inner wall of the tubular member to retain lubricant about the fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar.
 5. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 1, wherein: each bracket rigidly attached to each support bar comprises a series of trusses configured to receive an axle support bar, each truss is rigidly attached to the support bar; and each truss is constructed using the same material with as a high tensile strength as the support bar, to which it is rigidly attached; and each axle support bar is rigidly or releaseably attached to a series of trusses; and the axle support bar is constructed using the same, or a different material as the trusses with a high compression strength,
 6. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 1, wherein: the mechanism releasably attached to at least one of the support bars and configured to engage the release mechanism to hold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position is rigidiy attached to the structure that releasably attaches each spindle to a support bar in a manner that permits each wheel to move to and from a towed vehicle lowered position and a towed vehicle lifted position; and further comprising a fastening member which rolatably, releasably attaches the release mechanism to the support bar and is configured to rotate with the release mechanism and to engage the spindle that is releasably attached to at least one of the support bars to hold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position.
 7. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 6, further comprising: a tubular member rigidly attached to the support bar and configured to receive the fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches the release mechanism to the support bar; an aperture in the tubular member configured to receive a lubrication port; a lubrication port contained within the aperture in the tubular member; and a lubrication reservoir formed integrally on the fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches the release mechanism to the support bar, the lubrication reservoir configured to cooperate with the inner wall of the tubular member to retain lubricant about the fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches tbe release mechanism to the support bar.
 8. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 1, further comprising a steel axle end piece inserted into an aluminum axle tube with a fastening means wherein the fastening means secures the steel axle end piece to the aluminum axle wherein the steel axle end piece is insulated from contact with the inside of the aluminum axle tubing by a plastic shim.
 9. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 8 further comprising a tread plate secured to the axle tube.
 10. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 1, wherein at least two wheels are slotted 8 inch aluminum wheels; and further comprising slotted aluminum hubs mating with the 8 inch slotted aluminum wheels, each hub configured with a centrally located aperture configured to receive a lubrication port; and a lubrication port contained within the centrally located aperture in the slotted aluminum hubs.
 11. A self-loading tow dolly comprising: at least two slotted 8 inch aluminum wheels configured to rotate about a spindle, wherein each wheel rotates about its own spindle; slotted aluminum hubs mating with the 8 inch slotted aluminum wheels, each hub configured with a centrally located aperture configured to receive a first lubrication port; a first lubrication port contained within the centrally located aperture in the slotted aluminum hubs; structure that releasably attaches each spindle to a support bar in a manner that permits each wheel to move to and from a towed vehicle lowered position and a towed vehicle lifted position comprising; a first plate containing at least a first aperture and a second aperture; a second plate containing at least a first aperture and a second aperture; the first aperture on the first plate and the first aperture on the second plate are sized to receive the spindle and the spindle is rigidly attached to the first and second plates; and the second aperture on the first plate and the second aperture on the second plate are sized to receive a first fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar; a first tubular member rigidly attached to the support bar and configured to receive the first fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar an aperture in the first tubular member configured to receive a second lubrication port; a second lubrication port contained within the aperture in the first tubular member; and a lubrication reservoir formed integrally on the first fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar, the lubrication reservoir configured to cooperate with the inner wall of the first tubular member to retain lubricant about the first fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar; at least a bracket rigidly attached to each support bar wherein the brackets are configured to receive axles and maintain the axles substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the support bars, wherein each bracket comprises a series of trusses configured to receive an axle support bar; each truss is rigidly attached to the support bar; and each truss is constructed using a material wit a high tensile strength and the axle support bar is constructed using the same or a different material with a high compression strength; a lift mechanism attached to at least one of the support bars and configured to move at least one of the wheels from the towed vehicle lowered position to the towed vehicle lifted position; a release lever rigidly attached to a release plate which is attached to at least one of the support bars by a second fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches the release lever to the support bar and is configured to rotate with the release lever; the release plate configured to rotate the second fastening member to permit at least one of the wheels to move from the towed vehicle lifted position to the towed vehicle lowered position; a second tubular member rigidly attached to the support bar and configured to receive the second fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches the release plate to the support bar; an aperture in the second tubular member configured to receive a third lubrication port; a third lubrication port contained within the aperture in the second tubular member; and a lubrication reservoir formed integrally on the second fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches the release plate to the support bar, the lubrication reservoir configured to cooperate with the inner wall of the second tubular member to retain lubricant about the fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches the release plate to the support bar; and a mechanism releasably attached to at least one of the support bars and configured to engage the second fastening member to hold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position, the mechanism being rigidly attached to the structure that releasably attaches each spindle to a support bar in a manner that permits each wheel to move to and from a towed vehicle lowered position and a towed vehicle lifted position.
 12. A self-loading tow dolly comprising: at least two wheels configured to rotate about a spindle, wherein each wheel rotates about its own spindle; structure that releasably attaches each spindle to a support bar in a manner that permits each wheel to move to and from a towed vehicle lowered position and a towed vehicle lifted position; at least a bracket releasably attached to the support bar wherein the brackets are configured to receive axles and maintain said axles substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to said support bars; a ratchet mechanism attached to the support bars and configured to move at least one of the wheels from the towed vehicle lowered position to the towed vehicle lifted position, the ratchet mechanism including a ratchet handle rigidly attached to a ratchet cam which in turn is attached to a ratchet plate, a ratchet assembly secured to the spindle, and a gear plate having gear teeth rigidly attached to a support bar; wherein the ratchet assembly is engaged by moving the ratchet handle in a manner sufficient to allow the ratchet cam to rotate causing the ratchet plate to engage the gear teeth of the gear plate thereby causing the spindle to interact with the gear plate to ratchet the tow dolly into a towed vehicle lifted position; a release lever releasably attached to the support bars, the release lever configured to permit at least one of the wheels to move from the towed vehicle lifted position to the towed vehicle lowered position; and a mechanism releasably attached to the support bars and configured to engage the release lever to hold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position.
 13. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 12, wherein the structure for releasably attaching each spindle to a support bar further comprises: a first plate containing at least a first aperture and a second aperture; a second plate containing at least a first aperture and a second aperture; the first aperture on the first plate and the first aperture on the second plate are sized to receive the spindle and the spindle is rigidly attached to the first and second plates; and the second aperture on the first plate and the second aperture on the second plate are sized to receive a fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches each plate to the support bar.
 14. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 12, wherein: each bracket releasably attached to each support bar comprises a series of trusses configured to receive an axle support bar; each truss is releasably attached to the support bar; and each truss is constructed using a material wit a high tensile strength and the axel support bar is constructed using a different material with a high compression strength.
 15. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 12, wherein: the mechanism releasably attached to the support bars and configured to engage the release lever to hold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position is rigidly attached to the structure that releasably attaches each spindle to a support bar in a manner that permits each wheel to move to and from a towed vehicle lowered position and a towed vehicle lifted position; and farther comprising a fastening member which rotatably, releasably attaches the release lever to the support bar and is configured to rotate with the release lever and to interact with the mechanism that is releasably attached to at least one of said support bars and is configured to engage the release lever to hold at least one of the wheels in the towed vehicle lifted position.
 16. The self-loading tow dolly according to claim 12, wherein the at least two wheels are slotted 8 inch aluminum wheels; and further comprising slotted aluminum hubs mating the 8 inch aluminum wheels, each hub configured with a centrally located aperture configured to receive a lubrication port; and a lubrication port contained within the centrally located aperture in the slotted aluminum hubs. 